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Post by fernwood on Dec 27, 2018 5:32:51 GMT -5
Some of my pea gravel has been through many tumbles so far. Much is now the size of split peas (or smaller), so I am calling it split pea gravel.
Am discovering that this tiny gravel is excellent for media in the final tumbling stages with harder rocks. Most of it is now very smooth and shiny.
This split pea gravel is less than 1/4" in size. Much is the same size as plastic tumbling pellets. It is a pain to separate rocks from, but well worth it.
I am stock piling it, stage specific, beginning at 120/220. Still using untumbled pea gravel for 60/90 stage.
Does anyone else do this?
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Post by miket on Dec 27, 2018 10:30:07 GMT -5
Some of my pea gravel has been through many tumbles so far. Much is now the size of split peas (or smaller), so I am calling it split pea gravel. Am discovering that this tiny gravel is excellent for media in the final tumbling stages with harder rocks. Most of it is now very smooth and shiny. This split pea gravel is less than 1/4" in size. Much is the same size as plastic tumbling pellets. It is a pain to separate rocks from, but well worth it. I am stock piling it, stage specific, beginning at 120/220. Still using untumbled pea gravel for 60/90 stage. Does anyone else do this? I actually bought a bag of pea gravel from a farm/ranch store where I live. It was a damaged bag so it was priced well. Before that I was picking up pea sized rocks when I was out looking for fairburns. I'm using the gravel that I purchased for the first time in the qt66 that I just got- I might just follow your lead and keep it stage specific. Please let me know how this works out for you. Also, I sometimes find myself liking the tiny gravel that I put in to use for filler after it tumbles. I think I'm sick...
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Post by gmitch067 on Dec 27, 2018 11:23:41 GMT -5
Some of my pea gravel has been through many tumbles so far. Much is now the size of split peas (or smaller), so I am calling it split pea gravel. Am discovering that this tiny gravel is excellent for media in the final tumbling stages with harder rocks. Most of it is now very smooth and shiny. This split pea gravel is less than 1/4" in size. Much is the same size as plastic tumbling pellets. It is a pain to separate rocks from, but well worth it. I am stock piling it, stage specific, beginning at 120/220. Still using untumbled pea gravel for 60/90 stage. Does anyone else do this? fernwoodI do pretty much the same and use the really small stuff as cushion media in my Lorton 3A tumblers... works real nice for obsidian loads. One of my purchases netted me a couple pounds of over-sized aquarium gravel. I am not happy with the large size, but use it in my 46/70 stage coarse grind as filler for my QT-12 tumbler. Eventually their sizes will decrease down to something more usable where I can use them in the vibes. It's all good!
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gatorflash1
spending too much on rocks
Active in Delaware Mineralogical Society, Cabchon Grinding and Polishing, 2 Thumlers B's and a UV-18
Member since October 2018
Posts: 375
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Post by gatorflash1 on Dec 27, 2018 13:52:01 GMT -5
I have never tried it, sticking to mixed size ceramic media which seems to last for ever. I will add small agate tumbles into the mix just to balance out the sizes.
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Post by manofglass on Dec 27, 2018 21:29:44 GMT -5
I use pea gravel in with the 80 grit load only Plastic pellets after that
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Post by johnw on Dec 28, 2018 16:16:13 GMT -5
Some of my pea gravel has been through many tumbles so far. Much is now the size of split peas (or smaller), so I am calling it split pea gravel. Am discovering that this tiny gravel is excellent for media in the final tumbling stages with harder rocks. Most of it is now very smooth and shiny. This split pea gravel is less than 1/4" in size. Much is the same size as plastic tumbling pellets. It is a pain to separate rocks from, but well worth it. I am stock piling it, stage specific, beginning at 120/220. Still using untumbled pea gravel for 60/90 stage. Does anyone else do this? I actually bought a bag of pea gravel from a farm/ranch store where I live. It was a damaged bag so it was priced well. Before that I was picking up pea sized rocks when I was out looking for fairburns. I'm using the gravel that I purchased for the first time in the qt66 that I just got- I might just follow your lead and keep it stage specific. Please let me know how this works out for you. Also, I sometimes find myself liking the tiny gravel that I put in to use for filler after it tumbles. I think I'm sick... No, but you could be addicted to all things that are stone and what a wonderful state of mind to be in. The issue becomes when you start to have conversations with them like I do. If you want to really go to the outer fringe limits of understanding why you feel this way it can be said that some stones react to a sentient. Sentience is the capacity to feel, perceive or experience subjectively. ... In modern Western philosophy, sentience is the ability to experience sensations. In Eastern philosophy, sentience is a metaphysical quality of all things that require respect and care. So arguably we are all linked in some form to Sentient Beings in that we require respect and care. Stones react to that metaphysical alignment. Case in point, when I hold this little guy in the palm of my hand I experience an affinity with its being, given it's at least 65 million years old and is a fine piece of carved agate with a personality. Like I said we are at the outer fringe limits of understanding. So the question becomes: is this is one of the reasons why we collect stones? this is not about split pea gravel but a verbal reaction to a comment made by miket. But ya gotta admit this little guy is cute. Cheers, johnw
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